There existed a continent known as Eldiran. It is said that the world was created by the Dragon God Varnalgand, where various races, including humans, lived. It was known for its vast land and diverse cultures. At the center lay the Kingdom of Alzaria, a nation respected by others for its rich resources and powerful military. In the magnificent castle of the royal capital, Alzalion, King Leonidas Alza stood as a proud man, leading the magical knight order known as the Silver Knights. They wielded swords and magic, fighting day and night to protect the peace and prosperity of the kingdom.
To the east, the Celestia Empire spread out. Its capital, Celesta, was a splendid city lined with soaring magical towers and magnificent palaces. The Emperor, Augustus Celestus, governed the empire with wisdom and powerful magic.
In the cool northern region lay the Norden Republic. This land had a democratic political system, with President Elizabeth Nord promoting innovative policies. The people of Norden integrated technology that combined magic and science into their daily lives. Particularly, a magical heating system helped make life comfortable in this region, known for its severe winters.
To the west, the vast forests and plains of the Aldoria Federation formed a nation established by various tribes and clans united under the leadership of High Chief Galad Aldor. The council prioritized spirit worship and nature magic, leading a life in harmony with nature. In Aldoria, the balance with spirits was at the center of daily life.
In the southeastern rugged mountainous area, the Drax Empire exuded its majesty. It was said that Emperor Dracon Drax was of mixed dragon and human blood. The empire commanded a squadron of dragon riders, whose aerial dragon knights were symbols of fear to their enemies.
To the southwest, the Duchy of Lumelia boasted beautiful landscapes and rich culture, ruled by Duke Felix Lumel. This nation, where art and magic intertwined, attracted people who loved culture and magic, holding grand cultural festivals each year. The duke governed the nation with wisdom and generosity, supporting the country alongside the nobles.
In the northeast, the Mia Magic Kingdom was located in a rugged mountainous area, where wizards held political power. The Arc Mage, Selfina Valmis, ruled the country, nurturing many disciples at the magic academy. In Mia, the research and practice of magic were part of everyday life, with powerful wizards gaining fame.
Finally, there was the Confederation of Free Cities of Zelpheria, located on the central southern coast. This nation thrived on trade and commerce, managed by High Consul Edwin Zelph, who oversaw the administration of each autonomous city. Zelpheria was a union of cities that valued freedom and equality, where many races and cultures coexisted and prospered as a hub of international trade. Notably, the presence of the Adventurers Guild was significant. While adventurers' guilds existed in various countries, the central hub was located in the Confederation of Free Cities of Zelpheria.
"What is this…!"
In the royal castle of Alzalia, in the capital city of Alzalion, a man's voice filled with murderous intent echoed in a room. The man's name was Zaig, serving as the Prime Minister of this country. He was a plump man who cared more about his own financial calculations than the nation's policies. There was a reason he had risen from being merely a merchant visiting the royal palace to the position of Prime Minister. Since the time of his predecessor, Zaig had also been involved with an assassination guild, taking on various dark matters occurring within the royal palace. His activities ranged from assassinations and kidnappings to drug trafficking, espionage for other countries, and power struggles for succession within the palace… the scope was extensive. Thus, it was only natural that the first prince, Alexandros Leonidas Alza, had requested Zaig to assassinate the second prince.
"Impossible! Are you telling me the assassination failed?!"
It was a report from his subordinate. The news was that the assassination attempt on the second prince, Leon Albert Alza, had ended in failure. The operation had been simple and, moreover, flawless. The plan was to ambush the second prince during a inspection with his royal guard and carry out the assassination. Moreover, there was an additional mechanism to this operation. Zaig had secretly inserted another assassin among the assassination team he had hired. The assassination squad was to use "Monster-attracting Aroma," allowing the internal assassin to eliminate the other assassins.
Zaig's intent was clear. He aimed to dispose of not only the second prince but everyone involved in the assassination, ensuring complete silence without any loose ends. A double trap had been set.
"Were they not supposed to use poisoned arrows imbued with curses?!"
It was said to be certain. There should have been those skilled in curses among the assassination team.
"Well… it seems Prince Leon was injured but has already recovered."
Gritting his teeth!
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Zaig gritted his teeth at the report.
"What about the knights?"
At the very least, if they had all been wiped out, the Leon faction would have lost a great deal of their influence.
"N-no… um…"
His subordinate hesitated, sweating profusely.
"There are no confirmed deaths. The exact number, including the injured, is unknown… Prince Leon and Captain Shaltia and the knights returned early yesterday morning."
"Impossible!"
With such a result after sending in an assassination team, there was no way to excuse himself to the first prince, Alexandros Leonidas Alza.
"What happened to the assassination team I sent?"
He glared fiercely at his subordinate, implicitly warning him not to say they had returned cowardly.
"Um… it’s… unknown…"
"What do you mean by unknown?!"
It was the man reporting who wanted to shout out "What do you mean by unknown?!" The assassination team was non-existent except for the one who reported back. It seemed that the assassin who used the "Monster-attracting Aroma" had been caught up in a monster attack, but the man who returned said he did not know what had happened to his comrades.
"I-it’s terrifying! Darkness! The darkness is approaching!"
Trembling and stuttering, the assassin muttered. What kind of monster could frighten someone who made a living through assassination to such an extent?
"What is the status of the person who reported back?"
Suddenly, Zaig’s voice rang out.
"…Huh?"
His subordinate replied, confused about the meaning.
"I am asking what has happened to the man who reported back!"
Zaig shouted as he struck the man.
"He’s resting in the underground room now."
"Kill him."
"What?!"
He couldn’t help but ask again, knowing it would earn him resentment.
"Kill that assassin! How you do it is up to you. Use poison or whatever it takes to make sure he’s dead! Understood?!"
Someone who could fail an assassination was already unnecessary. It was better not to leave behind any clumsy evidence. He had intended to dispose of him anyway, so there was no reason to hesitate now.
However, the one given the order felt it was intolerable. No matter how injured the assassin was, he couldn’t bring himself to kill an expert in assassination.
(That’s why I hated this!)
When he had taken the position of assistant to the Prime Minister, he had rejoiced, thinking luck had finally turned in his favor. Despite being born a commoner, he had finally climbed this high. But once the lid was opened, the assistant to the Prime Minister was treated as less than a servant. He was forced into not only underhanded tasks but also occasionally into jobs that made him want to cover his eyes.
(When will I wake up from this nightmare?)
Being summoned at such a late hour to deal with the grumbling of this ugly little man was more than he could bear.
(I want to escape…)
Escape from this nightmare, from this ugly man.
"Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and go kill him!"
The ugly pig in front of him shouted.
"…Yes."
Escape was impossible. Even if he succeeded, this ugly man would not allow him to live. If he tried to escape, he would surely be hunted down by any means necessary.
"Uh, hey…!"
Zaig’s voice echoed. He must have been irritated by the lack of movement. He didn’t care what he thought at this point, but he just hoped he wouldn’t get hit again.
"I apologize. I will head there immediately!"
The poison should be hidden in the back of the study. There was no way he would say not to use it. As he thought this, the ugly little man remained frozen, staring at the wall.
He was sweating profusely, looking as if he would foam at the mouth, his mouth moving as if gasping for air. His eyes were fixed on a single point, staring deeply into the wall, but his gaze seemed unusual.
Following Zaig’s gaze with his own, the man also froze.
"…Who are you…? Since when have you been there?"
His voice trembled, and his mouth was dry. As his eyes widened and he followed Zaig’s glare, his chest froze. There stood a girl with black hair and black eyes, quietly and coldly, like a shadow itself.
(W-what is this…?)
He tried to speak, but his throat felt tight. Air wouldn’t enter his lungs. Beautiful… but that beauty was strange, like a cold blade. The moment her eyes captured him, fear surged from the depths of his heart.
(This woman… the darkness that made the assassins tremble…)
With every piercing glance from her sharp gaze, his spine froze, and his limbs tingled. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t escape. Although his brain was sounding alarms, his body wouldn’t respond. And in the next moment, the scenery spun around. Zaig's head was severed, soaring through the air while spraying blood. Vivid red stained his vision.
(Serves you right!)
The man silently cheered in his heart. Now he could be free. He would quit this job. Moving to the countryside and living a leisurely life seemed appealing. He had some savings, and opening a small general store would be nice. He no longer cared. Zaig was dead. He would escape now, and he would be free.
Free from all constraints…!
The scenery spun around. Through the swirling vision, he saw his own body, blood spraying from the neck like a fountain. His heart, instead of rejoicing in freedom, rapidly grew cold. The shadow of death enveloped him, drawing him into the darkness spreading before him. Everything fell silent, and his vision faded to black.
(Ah, now I can find peace…)
The last thought he had was a sense of emptiness that could no longer be called relief. His heart, filled with fear, sank into eternal darkness.
■ ■ ■ ■
Ver looked coldly at the two corpses. He had eliminated all the assassins and monsters. He left one alive to draw out the mastermind. The assassin had managed to escape this far.
(Should I just kill everyone?)
Killing the royal family of this country would surely leave other blood relatives behind. For a while, the country would be in turmoil, but it would settle down in a hundred years.
"No… that's impossible."
In this castle, there were humans whom that person had saved. Killing the humans saved by that person would be a betrayal of their kindness and would deny their intentions.
That cannot be done. It must not be done.
"How sinful for mere humans to make my lady feel uncomfortable…"
Ver regarded the two corpses with disdain. It was a fleeting moment, and then he seemed to lose interest, turning his gaze away and walking silently.
"Everything is for my lady."